Few places on Earth feel as magical—or as fragile—as the Galápagos Islands. When I finally travelled there at sixty, I found myself face-to-face with fearless wildlife, stunning volcanic landscapes, and a remarkable story of conservation. This is the tale of my journey to one of the world’s most extraordinary living laboratories—and what it teaches us about protecting the planet.
A Lifelong Dream: Visiting the Galápagos
When I first heard about the Galápagos Islands as a child, I was fascinated by tales of giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Decades later, at the age of sixty, I finally made the journey— and it turned out to be the best week of my life.
The Islands That Time Forgot
The Galápagos lie 970 kilometres off the coast of South America, in the middle of nowhere. This remoteness has created a truly unique ecosystem where species have evolved in isolation for millions of years. Discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the islands’ early human history was marked by settlement and plunder. Yet, their isolation helped protect biodiversity, allowing countless species to thrive undisturbed.
Meeting Galápagos Islands Wildlife Up Close
When I think about what makes the Galápagos special, four things stand out: remoteness, ocean currents, protection, and the lack of predators.
The marine iguana is one of my favourites. It can dive up to 30 metres and hold its breath for 40 minutes while grazing on algae. Because they take in so much salt, they’ve evolved special nasal glands to filter it out—and then sneeze it away! Picture a pile of fifty iguanas all sneezing salt water in unison. It’s equal parts strange and adorable.
Then there are the giant tortoises, the true icons of the islands. Some grow over a metre long, weigh more than 300 kilograms, and live for 175 years. Their slow metabolism allows them to survive an entire year without food or water—something I often wish I could do!
Of course, there’s the blue-footed booby. Despite its cheeky name, it comes from the Spanish word bobo, meaning “clown.” Watching them strut and dance around on their bright turquoise feet, it’s easy to see why.
Lessons from Darwin and Wallace
Eighteen major islands make up the Galápagos archipelago, but there are 127 in total. In 1835, Charles Darwin noticed subtle differences between finches from island to island. The variations in their beaks led him to realise that species adapt over time to their environment—a radical thought at the time.
Darwin hesitated to publish, fearing backlash, until Alfred Russel Wallace, working in Borneo, reached the same conclusions. Their joint paper in 1858 paved the way for On the Origin of Species—a book that changed how we understand life on Earth.
Ocean Currents and Unique Ecosystems
The Galápagos are influenced by several major ocean currents. The Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich cold water, supporting penguins, plankton, and diverse marine life. The Panama Current delivers warmer water during the wet season, creating rare ecosystems where penguins and mangroves coexist. The deep Cromwell Current drives nutrients from the ocean floor to the surface, sustaining species like flamingos and reef sharks.
Pioneering Conservation Efforts
Ecuador claimed the islands in 1832 and later established the Galápagos National Park in 1958. It became one of UNESCO’s first World Heritage Sites in 1978. In 2007, rapid population growth and invasive species threatened this status, prompting Ecuador to strengthen protections.
Visitor numbers are capped, and every visitor must be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide. In 2022, the marine reserve expanded by nearly 200,000 square kilometres. And last year, the park fee doubled to $200 USD to shift tourism from high volume to high value, reducing environmental impact.
Sustainable Tourism in Action
I travelled aboard a locally owned vessel, Samba, which carries just 15 guests. Our guide, who also owned the boat, shared his deep knowledge of the ecosystems with contagious passion. Traveling this way kept money in the local community and allowed us to explore responsibly.
Nothing prepared me for how close I’d get to wildlife. Sea lions, iguanas, and birds went about their business completely unbothered by us. I swam with playful sea lion pups, watched flamingos feed just metres away, and even saw a penguin dart past like a torpedo—yes, penguins at the equator!
A Journey That Changes You
Standing on a paddleboard with reef sharks circling below and turtles gliding beneath me, I felt like I was inside a David Attenborough documentary. The Galápagos teaches us not just about evolution, but about awe, patience, and the delicate balance of life.
Why the Galápagos Islands Must Be Protected
The Galápagos are a reminder of what can happen when nature is allowed to thrive and when governments, scientists, and communities commit to conservation. If you ever have the chance to visit, do it thoughtfully. Choose local operators, tread lightly, and remember you’re stepping into one of Earth’s most extraordinary classrooms.
The islands don’t just teach us about wildlife—they remind us of our role in protecting the planet for generations to come.
Check out the video below to learn more about my adventures in the Galápagos Islands!
